This week’s theme “ambience” instantly reminded me of the elegant interior of the City Palace, Udaipur that creates a warm, inviting ambience. I thought I should dedicate these pictures to this week’s photo challenge.

Imagine, you are riding through rugged mountain roads. It’s almost noon and you are tired of a long, bumpy ride. As you take a U-turn, you see a waterfall and discover a small pool at the bottom. With warm sun above the head, taking a plunge in the cool water would be the best way to relax and rejuvenate yourself. Do you agree? 🙂

In North Sikkim, you will find plenty of such waterfalls with naturally formed pools. Although I didn’t get a chance to take the splash, the sight of local boys playing in the water was pretty relaxing, too.

“If religion were true, its followers would not try to bludgeon their young into an artificial conformity; but would merely insist on their unbending quest for truth, irrespective of artificial backgrounds or practical consequences.”

~ H. P. Lovecraft

I have never been a religious person. I never go to the temples to worship or to pray. However, I am not an atheist either. I believe in God my own way. My quest for spirituality has always been focused towards nature. I find the divinity in the unspoiled beauty of nature. But a few years ago, during my stay in Pushkar, a small town in Rajasthan, I felt that spiritual connection right at the Holy Lake of Pushkar.

It was a spectacular sunset by the lake. Standing on the ghats (steps) of the lake, hearing the sound of temple bells, watching the orange fireball sinking into the horizon, the temple structures fading into the twilight, and the silhouettes of the birds ‘contemplating’ amidst the still waters (perhaps, they were still in search of food… 🙂 ), I felt eternity in those magical moments.

Gloomy sky, incessant rains, muddy streets, and high humidity are some things very common in India during monsoons. But every season has its own beauty. Lush greenery and rain-washed branches of trees bring a freshness that makes the season special for me. 🙂

“Beauty is one of the rare things which does not lead to doubt of God.”

Jean Anouilh

A sunset is a common phenomenon we see everyday. In the rush of our busy, day-to-day activities we rarely find time to watch the sunset and enjoy its beauty. But today’s sunset was something special. From June to September it is monsoon in India, and the sky is covered with dark rain clouds most of the time. In this season, a fiery sunset sky like this is rare to see. So, I didn’t waste a moment to capture the beauty with my new Nikon D53oo. 🙂

The sight of snow covered lands, playing with snow, throwing snowballs to each other – all of these are so much fun!

Well, if you are from the colder countries, you may not understand the zeal and excitement, as it is a common thing you see in every winter. However, people like me, who belong to India, a tropical country, don’t get to see snow unless we travel to the Himalayan region in the north.

These pictures are from my trip to Zero Point, North Sikkim, (14000 ft above the sea level) where snow reigns throughout the year. You see… kids and adults, both were having great fun in the snow. 🙂